Jose Altuve won Houston's heart long ago

1of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) takes a selfie with fans who claim they would donate $500 to the Share To Care campaign before the start of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Houston. This is the first professional sporting event in the city since Tropical Storm Harvey.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

2of 63Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) meets second baseman Jose Altuve (27) at home after Altuve hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

3of 63Astros fans celebrate as New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) leaves the field after a Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) single drove in two runs in the fifth inning of Game 6 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park, Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

4of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve reaches out to catch a ground ball as Alex Bregman watches as they worked out with the other position players who came to camp early during spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Thursday, February 16, 2017.Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

5of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) leaps over Chicago Cubs Jason Heyward (22) as Javier Baez grounded into a force out during the second inning of an MLB exhibition game at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

8of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) dives to tag Oakland Athletics third baseman Trevor Plouffe (3) out at second base during the fourth inning as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Friday, April 28, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

9of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) winces after being hit by a pitch during the third inning as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

11of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double hit by Carlos Correa against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park Monday, May 1, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

12of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve reacts as he crosses the plate on his two run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in Houston. Carlos Beltran scored on the home run.Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

13of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) falls to the ground after tagging Baltimore Orioles Hyun Soo Kim (25) as Orioles Paul Janish reached on a force attempt during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, May 28, 2017.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

15of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) calls Carlos Correa (1) safe after he was forced out at second base during the bottom sixth inning at Minute Maid Park Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Houston. However, first base umpire Paul Emmel-CC disagreed, he called it a double play.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

17of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) and shortstop Carlos Correa (1) are playful during the top fifth inning of the game at Minute Maid Park Sunday, July 2, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

18of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) looks up to see where he popped the ball to during the bottom sixth inning of the game at Minute Maid Park Sunday, July 2, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle

19of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after failing to get a glove on Minnesota Twins Eddie Rosario's double that was deflected by Tony Sipp during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, July, 15, 2017.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

21of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) takes off for home after tagging up to score during the fifth inning as the Houston Astros take on the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

23of 63Deborah Pina dances with Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who visited the George R. Brown Convention Center, where the Red Cross had set up a shelter for those displaced by Tropical Storm Harvey, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Houston. Pina was so excited to meet Altuve that she danced with him. She was evacuated from the Second Ward.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

24of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) takes a selfie with fans who claim they would donate $500 to the Share To Care campaign before the start of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Houston. This is the first professional sporting event in the city since Tropical Storm Harvey.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

25of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) dives into home to score a run on Marwin Gonzalez's RBI double in the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Houston. This is the first professional sporting event in the city since Tropical Storm Harvey.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

26of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) runs around New York Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki (26) to score a run on Marwin Gonzalez's single in the sixth inning of game two of a doubleheader of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

27of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) leans back from a pitch inside during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

28of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) and Alex Bregman (2) celebrate after they clinched the American League West crown after beating the Seattle Mariners 7-1 during an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

29of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve celebrates his third solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Houston. With home runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings, Altuve became just the 10th player in history to hit three home runs in a single post season game.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

30of 63Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve laugh before the eighth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

31of 63Houston Astros first base coach Rich Dauer reacts to second baseman Jose Altuve's third home run of the game during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

32of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve comes back out of the dugout to celebrate his third solo home run of the game during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Houston. Altuve hit home runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings to become just the 10th player to hit three post season home runs in one game.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

33of 63Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrate Correa's two-run home run that drove in Altuve during the first inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

34of 63Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates with second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after coming home on an Evan Gattis RBI single during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Houston. Correa drove in two runs with a double before being driven in himself.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

35of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) fails to make the throw to first in time during the second inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

37of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates after safely sliding into home to give the Astros a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees after a double by shortstop Carlos Correa (1) in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

38of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve runs home to score the winning run on Carlos Correa's walk off double in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

39of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve runs home to score the winning run on Carlos Correa's walk off double in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

40of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve reacts after tagging home to score the winning run on Carlos Correa's walk off double in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

41of 63Houston Astros Jose Altuve gets hugged by George Springer and Jake Marisnik after Altuve scored the winning run on Carlos Correa's walk off double in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

42of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) stands with New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99)] after Judge went to second on a groundout by Diodio Gregorius during the third inning of Game 3 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, in New York.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

43of 63Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrate as Altuve scores on Yuli Gurriel's 3-run double off New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson during the sixth inning of Game 4 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in New York.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

44of 63Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrate after Altuve scored on Yuli Gurriel's 3-run double off New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson during the sixth inning of Game 4 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in New York.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

45of 63New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, left, stands on second base next to Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of Game 5 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in New York.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

46of 63Astros fans celebrate as New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) leaves the field after a Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) single drove in two runs in the fifth inning of Game 6 of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park, Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

48of 63Alex Bregman and Marwin Gonzalez hold Jose Altuve on their shoulders while celebrating the Astros 4-0 win over the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

49of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) kisses his daughter while celebrating the Astros 4-0 win over the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park, Satuday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

50of 63Justin Verlander embraces Jose Altuve as they celebrate the Astros 4-0 win over the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park, Satuday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

51of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a home run in the tenth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

52of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates his home run in the tenth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

53of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tags out Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

54of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) dives to catch a ball in an attempt to tag Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) out at second during the first inning as the Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

55of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) can't make the out on a Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Charlie Culberson (37) line drive during the fourth inning of Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

56of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) comes home after a three-run home run by Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) during the fourth inning of Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

57of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI double during the seventh inning as the Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

58of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) gets a throw late as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) slides safely into second during the ninth inning as the Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 in Houston.Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle

59of 63Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (16) knocks into Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after being forced out by Altuve at second base to end the top of the tenth inning of Game 5 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

60of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates the Astros 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers after throwing the final out of Game 7 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

61of 63Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) picks up second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after the Astros win the World Series in Game 7 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles.Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

62of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) is hoisted in the air at the Houston Astros celebrate beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Astros took the Series 4-games-to-3 to capture the franchise's first title.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

63of 63Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tosses a World Series cap into the crowd during the Astros World Series championship celebration rally at City Hall on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Houston.Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Before he became a five–time All-Star, a multimillionaire Venezuelan import, a dancing GIF, a father, a rosy "Saturday Night Live" guest on Leslie Jones' knee, a cornerstone of the most audacious teardown-turned-World-Series-title blueprint in baseball history and — as of Thursday — a recipient of the American League Most Valuable Player Award, Jose Altuve was rejected.

Repeatedly.

At 16, the make-or-break age when international players sign life-changing contracts with major league teams, the 5-6 second baseman had not overcome his height enough to impress the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants or Tampa Bay Rays.

"Coming to us was his last shot," said Al Pedrique, a former special assistant with the Astros who evaluated Venezuelan talent.

Altuve said the Astros also sent him away — until he persisted on a second day of tryouts and they granted him the opportunity to grow.

That origin story of overcoming doubt is well known but gets retold to emphasize Altuve's significance to a franchise and fan base that did the same.

Astros broadcaster Bill Brown wedded himself to the franchise in 1987 and has become a venerable team historian with three self-published books. He expects Altuve, 27, to contend with Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell as the organization's most emblematic player.

"He has been totally dedicated," Brown said. "He has avoided injury, played hard every day, been through thick and thin with this club until it reached its zenith in its history.

"He is a symbol for fans," he added. "It gives kids this lesson: Don't listen to somebody who's telling you that you can't do something. He has just proved all these conventions wrong."

When Altuve signed with the Astros for $15,000, he contradicted scouts' affinity for physical strength, imposing size, long arms and meaty palms. Pedrique had thought Altuve could defy expectations because of his quick hands and feet, but he revered the teenager's drive. Altuve initially insisted he would sign for free.

"When a player tells you that and you look in his eyes, you get that read that this kid really wants it," said Pedrique, who has spent nearly 40 years in baseball and managed the Yankees' Class AAA affiliate last season.

In the minors, Altuve floated through a grind that tends to drag down hopefuls. He encouraged foreign players in English courses, pushed teammates in the gym, held everyone accountable for showing up on time, and bounded across the field.

"You can tell he's having fun," Pedrique said. "It's the smile on his face, the way he walks on the field like he belongs."

Altuve's boyish enthusiasm became as consistent as his .300-plus batting averages. He inspired Astros fans during the infancy of what became a nine-season playoff drought. In Astros blowouts, the television broadcast cut to highlights from the minor league affiliates.

"That's how bad it was," Brown said. "But to have a young guy they could attach their hopes and their dreams to like Altuve was extremely encouraging.

"The way he runs hard from home to first is indicative of what the crowd wants to see: that constant, all-out hustle. There is no doubt that this man is playing as hard as he can possibly play at all times."

Altuve debuted in 2011 and made his first All-Star team in 2012, when Minute Maid Park set its lowest average attendance at 19,606 fans.

The attitude that helped Altuve rise to the majors kept him buoyant during the three 100-plus loss seasons that had seemed foolhardy but proved fruitful when prospects drafted by general manager Jeff Luhnow emerged around the second baseman.

"When you start looking at core players, he was the core," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch, who took over in 2015. "He was playing on teams that from the outside, it was hard for anybody to be positive. How are you positive? Your teams aren't very good. You are one of the few performers."

Altuve did not relent with self-improvement. Before a breakout 2014 season, he added a leg kick in his stance that catalyzed his transformation from a leadoff hitter comfortable running out ground balls into one of the game's most feared sluggers. He earned another All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger award, and the first of three batting titles.

"As the Astros got better, he got better," Hinch said.

Altuve wanted more. He shed fat and built muscle with a meticulous diet. He prioritized sleep. Hinch challenged him to sharpen his fielding. Then Altuve won a Gold Glove.

"There's a perfectionist in Jose," Hinch said. "There's no goal unattainable to him."

His height, like a novelty, had made him the most visible ballplayer in Houston for years. But he became the leader of the 2015 team that returned the Astros to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Rather than feel threatened by Carlos Correa, a 6-4 shortstop thrust by a hype that contrasted Altuve's clawing at the edges, Altuve immediately mentored and bonded with his double-play partner.

"Jose has a great spirit about him because he is selfless," Hinch said. "You can't be quoted as saying winning is all that matters and then not celebrate wins even if you go 0-for-4. He's earned the respect of his teammates because his actions match his words."

This year, Altuve made good on a promise to himself to win in the playoffs. He opened an onslaught against the Boston Red Sox with a three-homer game that shook Minute Maid Park and incited MVP chants from the sellout crowd. He slid home for a game-winning score with his arms raised during a roller-coaster series against the New York Yankees. He fielded the final out to end the seven-game war with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the World Series.

Altuve complemented his emergence with a championship ring. He exudes professionalism akin to Derek Jeter, frightens pitchers like Albert Pujols, and charms with a smile that rivals Ken Griffey Jr.

But Altuve's superstardom is singular for its cuddly invitation. He unstiffens a staid legend like Biggio, who did not win a championship in his 20-year career and rejoiced during the World Series victory at Dodger Stadium by hoisting Altuve over his shoulder and carrying him like he was the trophy.

When Altuve extolled teammate Justin Verlander, a sometimes-jaded former MVP pitcher who arrived in Houston via an Aug. 31 trade with the Detroit Tigers, Verlander returned the amorous praise.

"I literally love you, too," Verlander said, unleashing a wave of the same sentiment for Altuve on social media.

All that Altuve has offered — an example for kids, a smile as reliably warm as August in Houston, a lovefest throughout baseball, an MVP season that helped propel the Astros' first World Series championship — would have been stifled were it not for the extra day at the Venezuelan tryout.

Watching Altuve in the World Series gave Pedrique goose bumps. He admired the culmination of hard work.

Pedrique was a bench coach during his last season with the Astros in 2012, when Altuve persisted and Houston struggled to fill the ballpark to half its capacity.

Now it is harder to imagine the Astros winning without Altuve.

"Finally," Pedrique said, "they got a chance to have that taste, having a winning team, a young team with a lot of talent, all together on the same field and doing so well and giving the fans the enjoyment that they've waited for for so long."

The annual MVP Award signifies the greatness of a player each season. Altuve already had recognition because Houston has understood his value all along.

Hunter Atkins joined the Houston Chronicle in April 2016. He has written for Rolling Stone, Forbes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Popular Science and ESPN The Magazine, among others. His assignments have ranged from an investigative article on gun violence in Chicago for Rolling Stone to the story of the world champion in competitive stair climbing for the New York Times.

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